US intercepts sanctioned merchant vessel in Arabian Sea, Central Command says

April 25 - ‌U.S. Central ​Command ​said it intercepted a merchant vessel trying to get ‌through the blockade of Iran on ⁠Saturday. Here are some details:

• The ‌ship, identified as the ‌Sevan, was part of a 19-vessel "shadow fleet" transporting Iranian oil and ​gas products to foreign markets, the U.S. military said.

• Central ⁠Command said it was intercepted in the Arabian Sea ​by a U.S. Navy helicopter from the guided-missile destroyer USS ​Pinckney and was "currently complying ‌with U.S. military direction to turn back to Iran ⁠under escort."

• The “shadow fleet” vessels have been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury ⁠Department for activities related to transporting billions ​of dollars' worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, ‌to foreign markets, Central Command said.

• Since the blockade ‌began, 37 ships have been "redirected," ⁠the U.S. military ‌said.

(Reporting by ​Norihiko Shirouzu in Houston; Editing by Sergio Non and Edwina ‌Gibbs)

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